Boyd's Commentary. R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
LESSON OUTLINE
I. Facing Pharaoh (Genesis 41:25–33)
II. The Power of a Dream (Genesis 41:37–40)
III. Using Family to Heal Fractures (Genesis 41:50–52)
UNIFYING PRINCIPLE
It may be difficult to hold on to dreams of future success when faced with extreme hardships. What inner resources are needed to continue one’s quest for success? Because Joseph loved and obeyed God, he was able to engage in wise and discerning problem-solving that motivated Pharaoh to appoint him second-in-command over all of Egypt.
INTRODUCTION
Family difficulties caused by factors outside of the family, such as sickness, economic failure, or global pandemic that arise naturally, can be challenging to cope with. But when family challenges are caused by and are the symptoms of self-inflicted wounds, the ability to cope may feel like an impossible feat. Truthfully, some of the most egregious offenses we encounter in our lives will be orchestrated, if not perpetrated, by family members who claim to love us. When this is a reality, a person may be inclined to ask the Lord, “Why would You allow me to be born into this family?” And His answer: “Because it’s necessary to bring out in you what you were made to become in Me.”
Just as the character of a plant is determined by the soil in which it grows, so it is with us. Regardless of the condition of the soil from which we are both planted in and grow out of, the composition of our family environment helps determine the shape of our character. The hurt and pain we endure from the family, though difficult to bear, are a part of what God allows to strengthen our resolve in Him.
There is no clearer example of this in the Bible than the life of Joseph—after he was sold into slavery by his brothers. From the time the Midianite traders took him into custody, Joseph was saddled with an ever-growing bitterness for his brothers. (Can you blame him?) The trauma of being forcefully separated from your family by those who claim to love you is pretty hard to fathom, let alone forgive.
What’s worse is that this same unfair treatment became a common theme throughout Joseph’s experience in Egypt. He was falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife, which resulted in his imprisonment. After interpreting the dream of the chief cupbearer of his imminent restoration to position, he was forgotten for two years by that same cupbearer to whom he gave hope. So, at the time of today’s lesson, Joseph was in prison. And yet, God was still with him. After the baker finally told Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who Joseph was and what he could do, the king summoned him from prison to interpret a puzzling dream he had. Joseph’s life was about to change. While his dreams in the beginning of the narrative led to his imprisonment, his interpretation of dreams at the end led to his empowerment. Sometimes our worst experiences can be the seeds that bring the most favorable outcomes in the long run.
EXPOSITION
I. FACING PHARAOH (GENESIS 41:25–33)
Joseph responded to Pharaoh’s request to interpret both of his dreams by explaining the two were one in meaning. God gave Pharaoh two different dreams with the same message to emphasize the importance of the message the dreams conveyed. According to Joseph, they were a forecast of what God was about to do for and in Egypt. In Pharaoh’s first dream, there were two sets of seven cows. The first set was healthy and fat, while the second set was bony and skinny. In his dream, the cows from the second set ate the fat cows from the first and yet were still bony and skinny. Being awakened by the confusion of the dream, he later went back to sleep and dreamed again. The second dream was similar to the first, only it was with grain instead of cows. Seven heads of grain full and plenty were swallowed up by seven ears of withered corn that sprouted later.
Joseph stated the two dreams meant God had decided they would happen soon. This reminds the reader of Joseph’s double dreams at the beginning of the narrative. His dreams would come to pass. All that was left to determine was when and how they would be fulfilled.
According to Joseph, the seven good cows and seven full heads of grain typified seven years of great plenty and economic prosperity that Egypt soon would enjoy. However, this seven-year period of plenty immediately would be followed by seven years of extreme famine, symbolized in the dream by the seven thin and ugly cows and the seven empty heads of grain. The devouring of the fat cows and healthy grain by thin and ugly ones was interpreted by Joseph to mean the seven years of great famine would be so severe the memory of the seven years of great plenty would fade in the despair of their scarcity. According to Genesis 41:30–31, the foreshadowed famine would totally deplete the land of all resources, completely decimating Egypt’s economy.
Our closest corollary would be a recession. The economy comes to a grinding halt and even basic items may be difficult to purchase. For us, unemployment rises and those living on the fringes of society often fall off the proverbial cliff. Even some who were doing well during better times see major upheaval and catastrophe. These moments tend to make us forget better times or at least long for them.
Joseph exceeded the expectations of the king’s initial request when he proceeded to advise him as to what steps should be taken in light of the interpretation. He suggested preventative measures instead of reactionary policy. His proposal to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land during the plentiful years as a reserve for the seven years of famine distinguished him to the pharaoh as the kind of administrator who should lead the nation in coping through this disaster. Though Joseph encouraged the ruler to select someone who was a discerning and wise man who could be trusted to govern over the land of Egypt, he knew within himself that God had positioned him to be that one. It was a kind of backhanded self-promotion and self-deprecation. It worked for Joseph but is not recommended for everyone.
In this way Joseph acted shrewdly. It is likely that in his time in Egypt, Joseph gained a mind for political maneuvering. From Potiphar’s house to the prison, Joseph always was able to position himself well, close to those who were in charge. In truth, this may have been something innate, as he also positioned himself well in his family of origin, next to Jacob. Obviously, given his nature, he was not going to let the opportunity go to waste. Slavery and prison sharpened his tools.
II. THE POWER OF A DREAM (GENESIS 41:37–40)
The plan Joseph proposed to Pharaoh seemed good in his eyes and in the eyes of all his servants. If he followed the strategy, it would guarantee Egypt’s economic stability during the imminent famine. The question the king asked next was key to the success of this strategy: “Can we find such a one as this who is competent enough to provide this kind of leadership?” Pharaoh quickly realized that just like the dream, this plan was also from God. Therefore, only one who was familiar with God and in whom the Spirit of God resided needed to apply for the job. Because of his faithfulness to God, Joseph’s name was at the top of a short list of possible candidates. In fact, in Pharaoh’s eyes, his was the only name. Though the king had the dreams, Joseph was the only one to whom God had shown all this. Prudence demanded he should be the one to oversee the project. The required disposition, according to Pharaoh, was one who was discerning and wise. To him, no other person fits that profile better than Joseph.
To support Joseph’s leadership in carrying out this robust economic plan, the pharaoh endowed him with great authority and power limited only by his own throne. Joseph was given the task to oversee both the domestic affairs of the ruler’s house and the government of his people. Ultimately, Joseph was invited by the pharaoh to rule alongside him as second-in-command. He was